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Moderately selective2026-2027 admissions cycle

University of Massachusetts Amherst acceptance rate and your odds of getting in

With an acceptance rate near 60%, University of Massachusetts Amherst is a moderately selective public university in Massachusetts. Because it admits more applicants than it rejects, admission turns on the strength of your whole profile rather than any one number.

Your odds at University of Massachusetts Amherst
Three numbers, no account, the same published model the full calculator runs.

Use this page to see what University of Massachusetts Amherst weighs, where it ranks among Massachusetts schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1380, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
60%
Moderately selective
SAT middle 50%
1310-1500
of admitted students
Type
Public
Amherst, MA
Average net price
$22,383
per year after aid

University of Massachusetts Amherst application deadlines, 2026-27

What do students study at University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Bachelor's degrees awarded by field in 2023 (IPEDS completions). Each field has its own page with the school's numbers, the model's major adjustment, and peers offering it.

Business, Management and Marketing · 1,093 (17%)Biological and Biomedical Sciences · 675 (10.5%)Social Sciences · 660 (10.2%)Psychology · 525 (8.1%)Engineering · 510 (7.9%)Computer and Information Sciences · 489 (7.6%)Health Professions and Related Programs · 343 (5.3%)Communication and Journalism · 308 (4.8%)Multi and Interdisciplinary Studies · 308 (4.8%)Agriculture and Agricultural Operations · 202 (3.1%)Mathematics and Statistics · 172 (2.7%)Natural Resources and Conservation · 160 (2.5%)

Will I get into University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into University of Massachusetts Amherst, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into University of Massachusetts Amherst?

University of Massachusetts Amherst admits most qualified applicants (around 60%), but that overall rate is not your personal chance. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for University of Massachusetts Amherst in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is University of Massachusetts Amherst hard to get into?

University of Massachusetts Amherst is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 60% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into University of Massachusetts Amherst?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at University of Massachusetts Amherst, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. University of Massachusetts Amherst reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

Calculate your chances at University of Massachusetts Amherst →

Your chances at University of Massachusetts Amherst by GPA and SAT

Estimated chance of admission at University of Massachusetts Amherst for plain profiles, from the same model as the calculator. Unweighted GPA, 3 AP courses, Regular Decision, no legacy, athletic or first-generation hook. The last column is test-optional (no score sent).

What are my chances at University of Massachusetts Amherst with a 3.1 GPA and a 1410 SAT?

About 81% (Safety), by CollegeCalcAI's deterministic model, for an applicant with a 3.1 unweighted GPA and a 1410 SAT, the middle of University of Massachusetts Amherst's admitted range, applying Regular Decision without a hook. A 3.4 GPA with a 1500 SAT comes out near 93%. Courses, activities, essays and the application round move the number; the free calculator includes them.

Estimated admission chance at University of Massachusetts Amherst by unweighted GPA (rows) and SAT score (columns)
GPASAT 131025th pctSAT 1410middleSAT 150075th pctNo testtest-optional
2.529%Target43%Target51%Likely20%Reach
2.849%Likely64%Likely71%Safety42%Target
3.170%Safety81%Safety86%Safety68%Likely
3.484%Safety91%Safety93%Safety86%Safety

Estimates, not guarantees. Get yours with your real courses and activities. Assistants and developers can fetch this table from the free API: /api/v1/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-amherst.

How to get into University of Massachusetts Amherst

Built from University of Massachusetts Amherst's admitted class and what it reports weighing. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled figures, not published cutoffs.

Here is how to get into University of Massachusetts Amherst, built from what its admitted class actually looks like and what the school says it weighs.

Step 1
Match the typical admit on the transcript

CollegeCalcAI's modeled typical admit at University of Massachusetts Amherst carries about a 3.34 core GPA and a 1450 SAT, in the most rigorous schedule available. Meeting it puts you in the admitted range for most applicants.

Step 2
Decide on scores with the real range

The admitted middle 50% is 1310 to 1500 SAT (30 to 33 ACT). Submit a score at 1405 or higher; below 1310, apply test-optional if the policy allows.

Step 3
Build the file around what University of Massachusetts Amherst weighs

University of Massachusetts Amherst rates rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores highest in its own Common Data Set. Put your depth there: and a transcript whose rigor rises through junior year.

Step 4
Apply in the round that helps

Most public universities read early applicants first without a binding commitment. Apply by University of Massachusetts Amherst's early or priority deadline (confirm dates at www.umass.edu), and if you are out of state, know that residency changes both the bar and the price.

See your odds and your top moves at University of Massachusetts Amherst →Add it to your college list →Official site: www.umass.edu ↗

How many students apply to University of Massachusetts Amherst, and how many get in?

For the fall 2023 entering class, University of Massachusetts Amherst received 50,424 applications and admitted 29,129, an acceptance rate of 57.8%. 5,286 enrolled. Only about 18% of admitted students enrolled, so the school admits several students for every seat it expects to fill, which is why its acceptance rate reads higher than its selectivity feels. University of Massachusetts Amherst enrolls about 23,671 undergraduates in total, 52% of them women, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

Applied
50,424
fall 2023
Admitted
29,129
57.8% of applicants
Enrolled
5,286
18% yield
Undergraduates
23,671
Amherst, small city

Source: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2023 admissions and enrollment.

What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Admitted students at University of Massachusetts Amherst post SAT scores of 1310 to 1500 in the middle 50%, with an average of 1423. On the ACT the middle 50% runs from 30 to 33. A score above 1500 puts you in the top quarter of admits and turns the test into an asset; a score below 1310 puts you in the bottom quarter, where the rest of the application has to carry more weight. University of Massachusetts Amherst is test-optional: scores are considered if you submit them but not required. Send a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one and let your transcript lead.

SAT middle 50%
1310-1500
average 1423
ACT middle 50%
30-33
of admitted students
Test scores
Test-optional
admissions policy

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10.

What University of Massachusetts Amherst looks for

What University of Massachusetts Amherst weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

In its review, University of Massachusetts Amherst leans most on rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from University of Massachusetts Amherst's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Important
Recommendations
Important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Important
First-generation status
Considered
State residency
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Considered

SAT score positioning at University of Massachusetts Amherst

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability. Your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at University of Massachusetts Amherst
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400In the competitive admitted range
1300Below the middle, makes the rest of the profile matter more
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1380 SAT →Colleges for a 30 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How much does University of Massachusetts Amherst cost after financial aid?

The full sticker price at University of Massachusetts Amherst (tuition, fees, housing, food, books) is about $34,549 a year. Tuition and fees are $17,772 for MA residents and $40,449 for out-of-state students, a $22,677 gap that makes residency the single biggest lever on cost. What families actually pay is different: the average net price after grants and scholarships is $22,383 a year, and it ranges from $10,164 for families earning under $30,000 to $30,793 for families earning over $110,000. 20% of undergraduates receive a federal Pell Grant.

Sticker price
$34,549
per year, before aid
Average net price
$22,383
after grants and scholarships
In-state tuition
$17,772
$40,449 out of state
Pell recipients
20%
of undergraduates
Family incomeAverage net price per year
$0 to $30k$10,164
$30k to $48k$10,456
$48k to $75k$12,932
$75k to $110k$18,964
Over $110k$30,793

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Net price is what students receiving aid paid after grants, by family income.

What do University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates earn, and how many graduate?

Median earnings for University of Massachusetts Amherst students ten years after entry are $71,631 ($60,347 at the six-year mark). 83% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years, and 92% return for a second year. Among graduates who borrowed, median federal debt at graduation is $22,763; 47% of undergraduates take federal loans.

Median earnings
$71,631
10 years after entry
Graduation rate
83%
within six years
Retention
92%
return for year two
Median debt
$22,763
at graduation, borrowers

Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education), release 2026-06-10. Earnings cover students who received federal aid.

How University of Massachusetts Amherst compares in Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst ranks #19 most selective of 36 schools in Massachusetts in our database.

Among the 36 Massachusetts schools we track, University of Massachusetts Amherst ranks #19 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Harvard University (4%) and Northeastern University (5%) sit nearby, which makes Massachusetts a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list. As a public university, residency matters: in-state applicants generally see meaningfully better odds than the headline rate suggests.

Harvard University
4%acceptance · MA
Northeastern University
5%acceptance · MA
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5%acceptance · MA
Williams College
8%acceptance · MA
Amherst College
9%acceptance · MA
Boston University
11%acceptance · MA
Tufts University
11%acceptance · MA
Wellesley College
14%acceptance · MA
See all Massachusetts schools →

Similar to University of Massachusetts Amherst

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Build around University of Massachusetts Amherst with peers at a comparable selectivity, such as College of Charleston, University of Akron, and University of South Carolina. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

College of Charleston
60%acceptance · SC
University of Akron
60%acceptance · OH
University of South Carolina
60%acceptance · SC
SUNY Cortland
60%acceptance · NY
Ohio State University
61%acceptance · OH
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
59%acceptance · AR

Frequently asked questions

What is University of Massachusetts Amherst's acceptance rate?

University of Massachusetts Amherst admitted 29,129 of 50,424 applicants for the fall 2023 entering class, an acceptance rate of 57.8% (U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS). 18% of admitted students enrolled.

What SAT score do you need for University of Massachusetts Amherst?

The middle 50% of admitted students scored 1310 to 1500 on the SAT and 30 to 33 on the ACT. A score above 1500 is in the top quarter of admits. University of Massachusetts Amherst is test-optional, so only submit a score that helps.

Is University of Massachusetts Amherst test-optional?

Yes. University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that test scores are considered but not required. Submit a score at or above the middle of the admitted range; otherwise apply without one.

How much does University of Massachusetts Amherst cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Massachusetts Amherst, what students receiving aid paid after grants and scholarships, is $22,383 a year against a sticker price of about $34,549. Families earning under $30,000 paid about $10,164 on average.

What do University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates earn?

Median earnings ten years after entering University of Massachusetts Amherst are $71,631 a year among students who received federal aid, and 83% of students graduate within six years (College Scorecard).

What does University of Massachusetts Amherst value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, University of Massachusetts Amherst weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and standardized test scores most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does University of Massachusetts Amherst favor in-state applicants?

As a public university, University of Massachusetts Amherst generally admits in-state applicants at a higher rate than out-of-state applicants, so your home state affects your odds. CollegeCalcAI applies an in-state residency boost when you select your state.

How can I improve my chances at University of Massachusetts Amherst?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at University of Massachusetts Amherst specifically.

How does residency affect admission to University of Massachusetts Amherst?

As a public university, University of Massachusetts Amherst typically admits in-state students at a higher rate, and tuition differs sharply by residency. Select your home state in the calculator to fold the in-state effect into your estimate.

What are the admission requirements for University of Massachusetts Amherst?

University of Massachusetts Amherst reviews GPA, course rigor, test scores (where submitted), activities, and essays. With a more accessible acceptance rate, meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

Acceptance rate, application counts, admitted test ranges, cost, and outcomes reflect publicly reported federal data (U.S. Department of Education: IPEDS 2023 and the College Scorecard) and each school's Common Data Set; figures are rounded and lag the current cycle by one to two years, so confirm deadlines and policies on the school's own site. The typical-admit GPA and SAT are CollegeCalcAI's modeled estimates. Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.